North Norfolk hospital porter Phil Beckerson will push his last trolley around the wards today - and then step into retirement after 43 years with the NHS.

Mr Beckerson joined Kelling Hospital in 1971, working in the theatres for about 14 years before becoming a porter in the mid-1980s - a post he has held ever since.

For more than four decades Mr Beckerson, 64, has been a key part of making sure everyday hospital services have run smoothly.

His responsibilities have included moving equipment, transporting patients, delivering post and emptying bins.

'When the job at Kelling Hospital was advertised, I saw it as an opportunity and grabbed it,' said Mr Beckerson, who worked in a sawmill in Weybourne and the council's roadworks team before joining the NHS. 'The hospital was incredibly busy in those days, and my job in the theatres was to help make sure everything ran smoothly.

'My responsibilities included getting the theatres set up for surgery, moving patients in and out, washing and scrubbing the instruments after the operation and taking out rubbish and the laundry. I really enjoyed the job, and have liked every aspect of my portering job as well.

'There are a really nice group of people working at Kelling, and we go out socially and get on well. It's also nice to get the chance to chat to patients when I go onto the wards to empty the bins and do other little jobs.'

He is looking forward to spending more time with his three grandchildren and travelling the north Norfolk coast.

Sue Hills, ward manager at Kelling Hospital, now run by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS, said: 'Phil's dedication and hard work

behind the scenes have been invaluable in the smooth running of the hospital for many years.

'His contribution to the NHS in north Norfolk over his long career is really inspiring and, on behalf of our staff and local patients, I'd like to thank him for everything he's done.

'Phil will really be missed when he moves on, but we all wish him a very happy retirement.'